Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle

The middle pharyngeal constrictor is a fan-shaped muscle located in the neck. It is one of three pharyngeal constrictor muscles. It is smaller than the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

The middle pharyngeal constrictor originates from the greater cornu and lesser cornu of the hyoid bone, and the stylohyoid ligament. It inserts onto the pharyngeal raphe. It is innervated by a branch of the vagus nerve through the pharyngeal plexus. It acts to propel a bolus downwards along the pharynx towards the esophagus, facilitating swallowing.

The middle pharyngeal constrictor is a sheet-like, fan-shaped muscle.

The muscle's fibers diverge from their origin: the more inferior fibres descend deep to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle; the middle portion of fibres pass transversely; the more superior fibers ascend and overlap the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

Two parts of the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle are distinguished according to its sites of origin:

The muscle inserts (posteriorly) into the pharyngeal raphe, blending with its contralateral partner at the midline.^{[citation needed]}

Similarly to the superior and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles, it is innervated by a branch of the vagus nerve through the pharyngeal plexus.^{[citation needed]}

The contraction of the muscle constricts the middle portion of the pharynx.